The Department of Education wants a unified messaging on sexual education in the country’s schools.

According to education officials, the DepEd will release guidelines for sexual education that teachers would have to follow.

Under the present system, sex education is incorporated in such subjects as Science and MAPEH (Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health) where mentors are at liberty to adopt their own techniques and approaches in teaching the subject matter.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said under the new guidelines the DepEd will have control of what should be taught as the learning materials and concepts will come directly from the department.

To ensure a unified approach, Briones said teachers will undergo appropriate training as well.

Among the topics covered in sexual education include human and body development, personhood, healthy relationship, sexuality and sexual behaviors, sexual and reproductive health, personal safety and gender culture and human rights.

The new sex education modules will be taught in all public and private elementary schools, junior and senior high schools, learning centers for special education, Alternative Learning System and state and local universities and colleges.

Briones said this is aimed at easing the growing problems of teenage pregnancies, sexual violence and the spread of HIV virus.

Since the first reported case of HIV infection in the Philippines in 1984, there were a total of 56,275 confirmed HIV cases recorded as of June this year.

“We start them early so we can set their direction to the right path until they grow up,” Briones said.